Liam Walsh has been forced to withdraw from his WBO lightweight title challenge against champion Ricky Burns after suffering a back injury in a car accident earlier this week. The unbeaten Walsh was due to face Burns on December 15th at the ExCeL London, but after receiving expert medical advice he has been told to rest and not resume training for four weeks. Burns will still headline Frank Warren’s big multi-title show with the third defense of his title against a new challenger to be announced shortly. The show also features Commonwealth super middleweight champion George Groves defending his title against the Road Warrior Glen Johnson and Billy Joe Saunders defends his Commonwealth middleweight title against Nick Blackwell with the vacant British title also on the line.

Walsh, who holds the Commonwealth and WBO European titles, said, “I’m devastated at the moment that I’m not going to be challenging Burns for the world title. I have followed the advice of the doctors and withdrawn from the fight. The doctors have said hopefully I’ll be able to resume training in four weeks. To fight for the world is my dream and this is just a set back and hope that I can get the opportunity to fight Burns again. I wish Burns all the best in his title defensce and all the other lads on the show.”